Massaggio Shirodhara

venerdì 15 luglio 2011

The Nature Cure Yogashrams of Rev. Dr. Thomas Maliekal, ND, PhD have helped more than 50,000 patients since the first one was established in 1981. Many patients with serious diseases have been successfully cured. He looks into the various aspects of food intake that would affect health in general and gives the following advice:

The right way to eat and drink:

Rev. Dr. Maliekal stressed the importance of chewing well, until solid becomes liquid, before swallowing. He also advises against drinking liquids while eating solid food. “Take your liquids half an hour before eating, or one hour after,” he says. When one’s appetite is good, it is best to eat during the day only. At night, liquid food like soup can be taken, or fruit be eaten two hours before sleeping. Incidentally, a fruit (one variety at a time) should be taken alone at a meal, for best results.

When drinking, don’t gulp your drink in but slowly sip it. A person may drink warm or normal temperature water, but never cold drinks because these stop digestion and lead to gassiness. As a general rule, avoid food and drinks that are too hot or too cold.

Rev. Dr. Thomas Maliekal’s Model Diet:

6 a.m. – Drink pure water or vegetable juice like cucumber (which could “melt” blocks in arteries, according to Rev. Dr. Maliekal)

6:30 a.m. – Meditation and exercises
8 a.m. – Eat fruits

11 a.m. – Take some vegetable juice, vegetable soup, or coconut water. May be taken with honey, muscovado sugar.

12 noon – Have some rice or wheat bread (1/3) with green leafy vegetables (1/3), and cooked vegetables (1/3). Don’t take fruits with the meal.

If your produce is not organic, simply clean them by soaking in warm salt water or warm vinegar water from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then rinse them using clean water.
5 Power Recipes-

Daily Drink:
Mix vegetable juice (cucumber, zucchini, carrot, etc.) with juice of green, leafy vegetable (mint, parsley, malunggay, pechay, spinach, oregano, basil, etc.). Experiment with the combinations to get the taste you want.
Peanut Milk:
Mix peanut and water in a blender. Great for growing children. You can also add some coconut milk.
Daily Dessert:
Mix papaya, coconut milk, and muscovado sugar in a blender. You may also use honey instead of muscovado, and add raisins or other fruits.

Mango Chutney:
Mix mango, raw coconut (firm), greens, salt, onion, and chili. You may also fry the coconut to get a variation in taste.

Best Salad:
Mix orange slices with shredded coconut and muscovado sugar. You may also add/substitute papaya, grapes, or other fruits.

Weight loss is one of the most obsessed over issue that people have these days. The doctors might do the tucking in and sucking out of fat but it not only leaves the fat burned out but your pockets too. Ayurveda is known for its simple home remedies for various problems. Fenugreek ( Methi ) is one of the most commonly used ingredient in Ayurvedic medicines and a study conducted now shows that fenugreek might be able to slim you down by trimming your body fat it was also seen to increase strength of athletes.
The research was conducted on 49 men who were all regularly strength trained who were assigned to two groups. One group was to take 500mg of fenugreek extract in supplement form every day while the other group was on a placebo. The study lasted for 8 weeks which included a 4 day per week upper and lower body workouts. the study showed that the men who were on fenugreek supplements showed increase in lean body mass and a reduction of body fat percentage.
Fenugreek is also known to fight insulin resistance, cholesterol levels and increase liver health.

Traditional Ayurveda therapy, especially done during the Monsoon season, is attracting tourists from across the country and abroad. Most of the dedicated centers in and around Kochi are offering special packages ; combining stay & treatment to lure maximum number of tourists.

The treatment called Panchkarma, takes out the toxins from the body. So the detoxification process is very healthy and gives more strength. It builds the resistance power and immunity

Small and big spa centers in the state have slashed the rates from 20 percent to 50 percent, to draw maximum customers. The packages may range between Rs.3, 000 to Rs.15, 000 and can include food, accommodation and specialist treatment. Organizers of the centers believe that there is a great potential for the therapy outside the state.

This promotion is to create awareness, outside Kerala as people in Kerala already know about these monsoon treatments. Monsoon therapy is also known as Karkkidaka Chikilsta dealing with internal cleansing of sense organs. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

Kerala Government has worked out a scheme to explore the potential of Ayruveda and other indigenous healing systems as sports medicine.

a research cell under the joint auspices of Departmement of Indian Systems of Medicines and Ayurveda Medical Education has been formed to take up studies on application of native medical systems to sports

Major sporting nations like China, Japan and Latin American countries have made strides in application of their indigenous medical systems in the field of sports. Several universities in India also have taken up research projects on this subject.

The project is also part of the state’s policy of promoting native healing systems blending their traditional strength with modern scientific methodologies.

According to experts, Kerala has a long tradition of application of native medical system to sports like the healing system developed side-by-side martial arts such as ‘Kalaripayattu.’

Most of the exponents of Kalaripayatu were also experts in healing fractures, wounds and other physical disorders by applying preparations made of medicinal plants, herbs and medicated oil.

Massage therapy also developed over centuries in Kerala as part of its martial art-cum-healing system.

Kerala Government has worked out a scheme to explore the potential of Ayruveda and other indigenous healing systems as sports medicine.
a research cell under the joint auspices of Departmement of Indian Systems of Medicines and Ayurveda Medical Education has been formed to take up studies on application of native medical systems to sports
Major sporting nations like China, Japan and Latin American countries have made strides in application of their indigenous medical systems in the field of sports. Several universities in India also have taken up research projects on this subject.
The project is also part of the state’s policy of promoting native healing systems blending their traditional strength with modern scientific methodologies.
According to experts, Kerala has a long tradition of application of native medical system to sports like the healing system developed side-by-side martial arts such as ‘Kalaripayattu.’
Most of the exponents of Kalaripayatu were also experts in healing fractures, wounds and other physical disorders by applying preparations made of medicinal plants, herbs and medicated oil.
Massage therapy also developed over centuries in Kerala as part of its martial art-cum-healing system.

AyurShop, the complete store in Ayurveda is organizing a month long ‘Ayurveda Awareness Mela’ on ‘Good Health’ as part of its first year anniversary celebration. The month long informative activities beginning from April 1, 2011 will be held at AyurShop’s offline store in J.P Nagar, Near Ragigudda temple, Bangalore. The activities are open to general public who can look forward to get deep insights into Ayurveda, the ayurvedic perceptive of various problems or just get pampered by free facials! The month long events will include host of activities like free seminar on joint pain, menstrual cycle and womanhood, nadi parkisksha camp, blood donation camp, free Swarnaprasha camp and free facials amongst others.

Says Vikas Sharma, CEO AyurShop.com, “Continuing our efforts in promoting good health though ancient means like Ayurveda we want to organize activities that are of interest to people in beauty, health and knowledge. The Ayurveda Awareness Mela is one of the endeavors this year where we want to bring in the importance of good health in the lives of Bangaloreans. We are also glad that along with our sustained efforts we have teamed with esteemed business partners who also believe in promoting good health.”

To obtain the entire list of the scheduled activities interested people can visit the website www.ayurshop.com or visit the offline store at J.P Nagar, Bangalore. Companies like Baidyanath, Himalaya, Sri Sri Ayurveda and Jovees are participating in this mela to schedule string of health related events. To take part in these activities interested people need to register at the offline store at JP. Nagar. For details contact 98451 83887 or 080 26583635.

AyurShop is one of the unique initiatives in Ayurveda that has both online and offline presence. AyurShop’s outlet in J P Nagar is one of the largest Ayurveda stores in Bangalore with over 200 Ayurveda brands. AyurShop is involved in retail export of health products to over 20 countries. The store started in 2003 with its online presence, which was one of the first in the country and is now looking to expand its offline footprint. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

The United States’ President, Obama, finally decides to visit India on a three day tour which is his longest stay in a foreign country so far. To make this tour worthwhile, Michelle Obama, his wife intends to go through a Kayakalpa Ayurvedic massage.
Kayakalpa massage rejuvenates the body, mind and soul. It is also supposed to have age reversing effects on the body which could make a person look ten years younger than the current age.
Some of the most effective herbs with very strong medicinal value are being brought for this massage and the lady will be undergoing this massage treatment under the most proficient people in this field.
Michelle Obama is looking forward to this treatment and hopefully she’ll take home lasting positive effects from our country.

TOI: A special demonstration on yoga for elderly persons, apart from various paper presentations on Sunday, marked the conclusion of the three-day Indian Aging Congress (IAC)-2010 at the Banaras Hindu University.

As per organising secretary IS Gambhir, a number of important orations on emotions and longevity, spirituality, community geriatric and palliative care in elderly was witnessed on the concluding day, highlighting some of the basic issues concerning older persons.

SD Gokhale (Pune) while explaining how spirituality improved quality of life in elderly also emphasised on proper medication and adherence to restrained life for longevity. Similarly, GP Dubey, a noted ayurveda expert, discussed ayurveda programme for elderly under Ayush.

Yoga expert Yogesh Kumar Bhatt displayed yoga exercises for old age along with paper presentation on yoga for healthy life.

It may be mentioned here that the department of medicine and division of geriatrics, BHU, organised the IAC-2010 that also witnessed joint conference of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics and Association of Gerontology. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

Urine Therapy is one of the most popular techniques mentioned in the scripts of Ayurveda. It is not surprising that people might be repulsive towards the idea of consuming ones urine since it is considered a waste that is thrown out of the body. This notion of urine being a toxic waste is a misconception and it has been seen to be helpful in curing many diseases. Some of the serious diseases like tuberculosis, asthama, cancer, osteoporosis, gout, impotence, diabetes, gangrene, hyperacidity, heart disease, stomach related problems, intestinal problems, psoriasis, piles, etc are seen to be cured with urine therapy.
A person’s own urine has antibodies that are perfectly suited to cure the particular disorder in the body which makes it important to consume ones own urine. People’s misunderstanding of urine such as it being a waste and that the body doesn’t need it and hence has thrown it out of the system should be gotten rid of .It should be understood that urine is a derivative of the blood and contains elements differing in compositions which are filtered and collected in the kidneys when in excess. This is sterile and is free of almost all bacteria.
Urine is available in synthetic form for making consumption less a hassle. But urine in its natural form is best for consumption since it has no side effects. This is die to the presence of natural enzymes and antibodies in urine which is not present in synthetic urine.
Urine therapy is now rediscovered and is widely used and accepted in curing various diseases.(by Ayurvedanews.com)

giovedì 14 luglio 2011

Deccan Chronicle: Parsley or Petroselinum crispum is a native of the Middle East. But it is now grown widely for its medicinal properties and health value. This herb is used in Ayurveda, Unani and even in the modern medicine.
Though it is generally recommended for its ability to fight bad breath, parsley is used for the treatment of a number of health issues like stones and calculi in the kidney, infection of the gall bladder, boils, stings and bites by insects, flatulence and indigestion. It is also recommended as a natural blood purifier and a general health tonic.
The leaves of parsley, both fresh and dried, as also its tap root, are used in herbal formulations. The leaves can be chewed raw or consumed as herbal tea, a decoction or tincture. An ointment, poultice or leaf paste of parsley can be applied externally for skin problems including inflammation. Some herbal doctors prescribe a head wash using a paste of parsley leaves to kill head lice.
Parsley leaves are rich in vitamin C and they thus help in purifying the blood and keeping the circulatory system in good condition. Pregnant women should avoid parsley as it could create health problems for them.
Others should use it in prescribed quantities as heavy dosages could lead to complications.
HOME REMEDIES:

Take a few leaves of parsley, wash them in water and chew them. This prevents bad breath. Parsley is rich in chlorophyll and other natural substances that prevent harmful bacteria from growing in the mouth and causing bad breath. You can also prepare a mouth gargle using parsley leaves. Take a few washed leaves and put them in a glass of water. Boil the water, filter the solution and use it for gargling twice a day. Prepare the solution fresh everyday.

Some herbal doctors prescribe Parsley tea for problems like stones and calculi in the kidneys. Parsley is also recommended for those with jaundice.

Chewing a few parsley leaves daily will help in fighting flatulence and indigestion.

Take a few leaves, crush them and apply this on painful boils, insect bites or insect stings for relief.

Inflammation or swelling can also be reduced by applying a parsley leaf paste or ointment on the affected area.

According to ayurvedic principles diet constitutes an important part of life. Ayurveda really does not recommend fasting very often as it puts the digestive system out of track and it advocates light breakfast, substantiate lunch and a light dinner for a healthy living. This should be of course coupled with adequate exercise to the body and required amount of sleep. Simple ways that can be adopted for a healthy lifestyle are like drinking at least two glasses of warm water in the morning. This is right before even your morning tea or coffee routine. Also if you can do replace milk beverages with black teas or a better option would be to avoid any drink in the morning, as conscious and healthy eaters would know effective digestion stems from good eating habits.

The modern culture of junk food, eating food very fast is not suited for human bodies. Again the concept of fast food joints or ‘darshinis’ like in a city like Bangalore may be the order of the day as it becomes convenient for modern day lifestyle. However this is against ayurvedic principles where it does not recommend humans to stand and eat and advocates eating in sitting position and be in a relaxed frame of mind. As Maharishi Ayurveda propagates the individual needs to concentrate on taste, texture and smell of food to aid in digestion.

Stimulating the digestive fire or agni is very important in Ayurveda. For those who complain of poor hunger, Ayurveda recommends the intake of ginger and lemon juice. However please note that if you have the body type that has too much internal heat then alternatives like pomegranate chutney in small quantities may be more suited for you. Other healthy suggestions are avoiding caffeinated drinks or ice cold drinks including water. Water should be at room temperature and should accompany meals to help in good digestion rather than cause a hindrance.

Warm foods are preferred for breakfast in comparison to cold foods like cold milk, cold cereal as they become harder on digestion. Do note that fruit is better digested if had in the morning as part of breakfast or had as mid morning snack. As health practitioners recommend drink enough water. Even if it is cumbersome make it a habit to have at least eight glasses of water.

According to ancient principles of Ayurveda eating at regular meal times whether it is breakfast or other meals of the day, digestion is going to be easier for the human body. Also foods that are cooked fresh are good for digestion so avoid packaged foods or consuming reheated leftover foods that are not in principles of good eating habits.

Lunch should be in good sizeable portion as this will be the main meal. Indian foods are the best in terms of nutritional value and hence posses the quality of getting easily digested. Wherever you are staying in southern or northern part of India choose food that suit the climate.

Also make sure to eat a few salads like cucumber, tomatoes, onions and home grown sprouts. If this is made as a daily routine it will be slowly imbibed as part of the meal. For dinner try and have a vegetable soup every alternate day. Have a light dinner like dal, rotis and vegetable dish or rice dal and side dish comprising of boiled vegetables.

OTHER IMPORTANT GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW FOR EFFECTIVE DIGESTION ARE:

Eat food slowly by chewing properly each morsel in the mouth. Do not gulp food down just because you are in a hurry.

Do not engage in any other activity like watching television or working on computer or laptop while eating as the process of eating gets diverted and you will really not be able to concentrate on eating.

Make sure to leave some space in your stomach just before you complete your meal. This will ensure better digestion rather than eating until heavily full.

Please note: Use the information above mentioned for reference only and not as a substitute for doctor’s advice. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

Not many would take interest in watching a movie that did not arise in Hollywood or Bollywood. But if Ramayana and Mahabharata could be made into movies, something that has existed for centuries now and is still made use of can definitely made into a movie as well. This thought was put into action when Pan Nalin made a movie on Ayurveda featuring five elements in visible and invisible form which is 102 minutes long filmed entirely on locations in India, Greece & USA in the year 2001. But how many of us know about this film?
The film travels nearly 15,000 kilometres through landscapes of exceptional beauty and geographical variety in India, Greece and USA. For several months Pan Nalin and his research team constantly searched out people and places almost all over the world; to do total justice to this exceptional subject, to voice the story of Ayurveda through exceptional Vaidyas (Ayurvedic Doctors), patients and experts.
Some of the Vaidyas have revealed their secrets and open their home and clinics to contribute to the film. Plant searching tribes took them into dark corner of jungle where a rare endangered plant still grows wild. Ancient Palm-leaf manuscripts locked away for 3 to 5 centuries were looked for and made use of. Ancient ‘Mud-Scanning’ method of Diagnosis has been considered extinct and lost but their months long efforts managed to track down the last surviving place. A rarely seen lost science of Marma, vital points, and how it can kill or cure; was demonstrated on a goat for the first time revealing vital points which can paralyze.
During the 3 long years while preparing the film Pan Nalin was himself surprised despite being exposed to the science of Ayurveda in his family, to discover how scientific Ayurveda is. “I personally believe that our world of today, into a new millennium, is going to need natural arts of healing like it never did ever before. Spirituality and natural balances will play a vital role in governing our happiness in near future. No single film can do justice to the vast science of Ayurveda but for me the film is just a sharing, but the sharing that inspires, naturally” quotes Pan Nalin.Visit http://www.ayurvedafilm.com/ to read more about the film and to get a sneak peek into what’s in store in the movie. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

The quantity of gold in semen decides the levels of fertility in men with the average healthy level being 0.88 micrograms per ml of seminal fluid. Those with a gold content below 0.10 micrograms per ml fail to produce children.
Though ancient Ayurveda texts link gold with male fertility, it is for the first time that the exact content of gold in semen is studied to determine the fertility levels in men. Doctors from the CSM Medical University in Lucknow have found that semen samples of healthy and fertile men contained gold ranging from 0.36 to 1.98 micrograms per ml with a mean value of 0.88 micrograms per ml.
The doctors used atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine the content of gold in sperm. The body contains a number of minerals and trace elements including gold. Trace metals in the body are linked to environment pollution, but Ayurveda doctors believe that entry of gold through food or soil contamination is actually good for male fertility. The higher the gold content the higher the fertility levels.
“Whatever amount of gold is detected denotes the levels in seminal plasma as well as the sperm itself,” said Dr Anurag Rai, one of the researchers. The presence of gold in sperm supports the ancient Ayurvedic texts which link male fertility with gold, though a thorough scientific analysis is yet to be made. Gold was found in all the semen samples collected for the study.
“The presence of gold in the body is thought to be a contaminant from environmental elements like sea water. The total human body content of gold is calculated to be 0.1 mg. Gold has been claimed in Ayurvedic texts to have beneficial effect on testicular function and sperm,” Dr Rai said.?
-Deccan Chronicle (by Ayurvedanews.com)

Our ancient pious scriptures talked about Gods, Goddesses, Sages, Kings, Queens and their subjects all having their own important places in the society that they were a part of. We have seen the importance of herbal medications that were used in these mythological eras. But we have never really seen the importance animals were given during the times. Some animal Gods also exist in the Hindu mythology including Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman, etc. Now why did the topic of animals come up while discussing medicinal herbs and Gods and Kings? Here’s why:
Ayurveda isn’t just for humans; it is available for animals too. In the present day scenario, pets are not just animals that stay around in the house; they are a part of the family. In fact, we might just spend a lot more on our pets over their shampoos, medications, vaccinations and so on. So if humans can resolve to using Ayurveda as one of the best form of medicines, their pets can too!
Though it is a growing field it is increasing in popularity with the growth in Animal Spas with specialized animal treatments, massages, aroma therapy, acupuncture, and so on. There are a few universities also offering specialized courses in Veterinary Ayurveda.
There are already products specialized for animals in Ayurveda that are available in the market. How well it will be made use of and to what extent is something that we need to wait and see with time!(by Ayurvedanews.com)

It is believed that Ayurveda has a cure for every disease or disorder one has come across and that nature has not only provided us with a problem but a solution as well. Psychological disorders are increasing day by day and the drugs administered are providing temporary results. We not only need to look into the cure of these disorders but also the prevention of these from reoccuring.

Following are the general types of imbalances at the source of most chronic conditions, including psychological disorders:
1. Toxins accumulating in tissues and blocking circulation.
2. Poor nutrition.
3. Poor digestion.
4. Imbalance of the nervous system.
5. Accumulation of physical and mental stress.
6. Lowering of natural resistance and immunity.
7. Disruption of natural biological rhythms.

The common modern medical approach to match drugs to symptoms does not completely address many of these factors. As a result, modern medicine often cannot fully remove the disorder and the condition becomes chronic. Chronic means that the condition persists over time even with the best modern medical treatment. Currently over 100 million Americans suffer from a chronic condition, indicating that some new approach is needed in our health care.

A Natural Treatment Program for Psychological Disorders: These therapies is not only effective at removing the imbalances at the basis of chronic disorders but also have no significant side-effects. The goal of this Ayurveda approach is to enliven the body’s natural healing and self-repair ability not only to help cure psychological disorders, but also to prevent disorders and create the highest state of health and well-being.

Removing the Buildup of Toxins and Impurities:Most chronic disorders start when toxins accumulate in tissues and begin to disrupt the delicate biochemistry there. Toxin buildup can also obstruct the channels of circulation and elimination. This blockage prevents proper nutrition from reaching the tissues and blocks the processes that cleanse them of impurities.

1. Loosening impurities that have become embedded in tissues and helping liquefy them for easy absorption into the circulation and eventual elimination

2. Softening and opening the channels of circulation and elimination so proper nourishment can reach the tissues and impurities can be more easily eliminated from them.
3. Activating the elimination process for the most thorough cleansing of the entire physiology.

Herbalized oil massage is used both at home and in-residence treatments to aid the cleansing process. Herbalized oil massage provides a deeply soothing and balancing effect for the entire physiology. The motion of massage creates heat and friction which enhance circulation and help cleanse affected tissues of chemical impurities that could be causing symptoms of psychological disorders. The oil and herbs cleanse and nourish the tissues to aid their repair and development. The various herbs that have been boiled into a base oil, and the oil itself, are specifically chosen for their effect on removing the imbalances at the basis of your condition. The oil helps the balancing process by allowing the herbs to more deeply penetrate the affected tissues.
1. The home program involves herbalized self-massage for 5-10 minutes in the morning before you take your shower.

2. During the in-residence portion of your program, highly trained Ayurveda technicians daily perform very specialized massage for you, using oils in which as many as 50 herbs have been used. These special oils are only available as part of the in-residence program.

Proper Nutrition: One of the great strengths of the Ayurveda dietary approach is that it contains knowledge of how to have a light, easy-to-digest diet that still is both satisfying and nourishing. Many individuals have easily followed this diet and have improved their digestion and energy while also reducing their symptoms.

Herbs are considered nutritional supplements in Ayurveda. Their purpose is to restore balance to the specific functioning modes whose malfunctioning is causing your condition. During your consultation, our Ayurveda Health Consultants select the appropriate herbal formulas for aiding the healing process, strengthening digestion and helping the body purify itself of toxins and free radicals. Free radicals are a specific class of chemicals that are highly irritating to the physiology. Scientific research has found that free radicals contribute to a wide variety of disorders. When appropriate, Ayurveda Health Consultants can recommend Ayurveda herbs that research has shown to be powerful anti-oxidants and free radical scavengers. Two Maharishi Ayurveda herbal preparations have been shown to have 1000 times more anti-oxidant activity than either vitamin C or E. Ayurveda herbs can also have a holistic influence of balancing and nourishing the entire physiology.

Creating strong digestion: Our ability to properly digest food is as important as what specific food we eat. Incompletely digested foods create toxins and impurities that are eventually absorbed, travel throughout the physiology, localize in tissues and disrupt their functioning. This process plays a major role in a wide variety of chronic conditions, including psychological disorders.

Balancing nervous system activity: The nervous system controls most bodily functions, and almost every chronic condition is affected in some way when the nervous system activity becomes imbalanced. According to Ayurveda, the physiological principle at the basis of nervous system stability and activation is called Vata. Because nervous system imbalance contributes to psychological disorders, from the Ayurveda perspective Vata imbalance is an underlying cause of the condition and needs to be reversed.

Stress management: Excessive mental, emotional and physical stress can worsen the symptoms of many chronic disorders, including psychological disorders. This is due to hormonal changes and other biochemical responses to stress that can imbalance the nervous system and depress the healing ability of the body.

Lifestyle and Daily Routine: One of the most important factors for maintaining healthy functioning is to have a lifestyle that does not disturb natural bodily rhythms. When we eat, sleep and exercise in constantly fluctuating and disturbing patterns, the body loses its natural balancing cycles and cannot cleanse or heal itself as effectively. Therefore, regularity in our daily routine can be extremely effective in reducing physiological imbalance at the basis of psychological disorders.

Exercise and Flexibility Education: Ayurveda considers proper stretching and flexibility exercises to have a very positive effect on circulation, nervous system function, the body’s healing response and the treatment of many chronic conditions.

Strengthening the body’s natural healing and self-repair mechanisms: Ultimately every treatment approach must depend on the body’s natural healing ability for a real cure of the condition. Maharishi Ayurveda’s approach is not to attack the disease with something from the outside, like drugs or surgery, but to attempt to enliven the innate healing response of the body.

The healing response is one of the most complex and coordinated activities within the human physiology and often cannot be strengthened significantly without a comprehensive natural approach.

mercoledì 13 luglio 2011

Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine) has a number of easily implementable strategies for reducing the impact of stress on your body and mind.

Do a regular whole-body self massage with black sesame oil. When applied to the skin, this oil releases serotonin naturally in the body and rapidly eases the stress symptoms. You may have to do the massage daily for a week then reduce to two to three times weekly.

Practice slow, deep breathing for five minutes, morning and evening. This activity (called pranayama in Ayurveda) reduces the activity in the mind (beta frequency >18Hz).

Do yoga at least three times weekly for about half an hour daily. The “Moon Salute” is a powerful de-stressing sequence of yoga postures. The “Sun Salute” helps to protect the body against excessive stress and allows you to recover more easily.

Use non-toxic ayurvedic herbs to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of stress.These are a few well known anti-stress herbs: Ashwagandha, Bacopa Chyawanprash, Gotu Kola, Guduchi, Damiana, Zizyphus.

Use a warm de-stressing drink every night before bed. Use half a teaspoon of grated nutmeg in a cup of warm milk. Drink this just before bedtime. If you are allergic or sensitive to cow’s milk, use soy or rice milk.

Learn to meditate. This is one of the best long-term methods in bringing stress under control. Just 20 minutes twice daily can make an enormous difference.

Herbal oils are a rave in the present day scenario. People are settling for remedies that are not just effective but are harmless in the long run. Herbal oils are of various types depending on what herbs are used to prepare the oil. Amongst the popular oils is the Patchouli oil. The oil is extracted from the pogostemon cablin plant which is a bushy herb that belongs to the mint family. The oil is known not just for its health benefits but also for its fragrance.
Here are the top ten reasons why you should be using Patchouli Oil.

Patchouli oil is best known for its anti depressant properties. The oil not only lifts up your mood and relieves your senses of any tension but also reduces your anxiety and depressed feelings.

As mentioned earlier, the fragrance of the oil lets it be a part of perfuming your rooms or even in incense sticks for your Pooja room.

The oil is a popular massage oil and is also used in Aromatherapy for The oil has anti fungal, anti septic, anti viral and anti bacterial properties and hence can be used for any above mentioned related allergies or infections.

It is a very good skin care oil that prevents skin infections and problems such as acne, drying of skin, scars, etc. It also has anti aging properties that keeps your skin looking young and rejuvenated.

The oil’s sweet smell also makes a great perfume. It helps it keeping your body odour at bay.

Adding a few drops of the oil into your clothes before washing them will not only give them a fresh smell but also destroys the bacteria and other microbes that could be in the clothes which will cause allergy.

Spraying Patchouli oil based liquid in your house will keep away insects, mosquitoes, bugs and other annoying flying creatures.

It has also shown increased benefits in weight loss, sex related problems, urinary problems and helps in flushing out the toxins and cholesterol from your body.

Last but not the least, it increases the immunity of your body and hence prevents illnesses like cold, cough, fever, headaches, infections and abdominal problems.

These reasons should cover the most important aspects of your daily life and hence the reason why Patchouli Oil should be a part of your health regime. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

Ayurveda Expo 2011, an international healthcare exhibition will be promoting Sri Lankan Ayurveda and native healthcare products in the markets at the BMICH from July 15th to 17th. The event is jointly organized by the Sri Lankan Export Development Board and the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka in association with the Indigenous Medicine Ministry, Economic Development Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Industry and Commerce Ministry, Sri Lankan Airline and Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority.

The event is going to overlap with the Sri Lankan tourism promotion which is the primary event which has given priority to promote mental and physical wellness under the theme ‘Bliss’. The event includes 20 countries around the world and the exhibition will have four major themes namely- Yoga, Meditation, Food and Wellness. The products and services provided will include related sectors such as natural foods, homeopathy, acupuncture, beauty care among others.

The Expo will also include a symposium which will be addressed by renowned experts on Ayurveda. The programme is aimed at supporting the local and international markets to develop the local products along with attracting tourists to the country(by Ayurvedanews.com)

If you thought that the Tulsi plant in your garden was planted there because it has religious significance, think again. Some things that we see and do have more than just a belief base to it. Now your garden can not only look pretty but can also hold plants that keep you and your family healthy. It could be your quick stop shop to minor illnesses.
The Tulsi is known for its various medicinal uses. Along with that we have the Aloe Vera plant that not only looks pretty but serves more purposes than a lot of other plants in your garden. That is a must in your garden. Mint leaves have served their purpose in being medicinal as well. Along with these plants you could include simple and easy to maintain plants such as Cumin, Turmeric, Hibiscus, Gooseberry, Pepper, Ginger, Cloves, Coriander, Curry Leaves and Betel Leaves.
A garden needn’t just be for decorative value to your home but more than that. These plants are also known to maintain the purity of the air that surrounds your house. A small effort towards a healthy lifestyle will take us a long way in maintaining a good life.(by Ayurvedanews.com)

martedì 12 luglio 2011

With barely a month to go before Ayurveda drugs go off the shelves across European Union, which has imposed a ban from May 1, the Rs.600-crore Ayurveda industry in Kerala, home to the traditional medical system, remains rattled and unprepared to face the situation.
The ban is on the grounds that several of these drugs have tested to contain residues of heavy metals such as lead, zinc and cadmium that can prove hazardous to health.
The industry has to provide sufficient documents based on research to prove that the formulations are not harmful and have been in use in the country for centuries.
Mr Joy Varghese, chief executive officer of the Confederation for Ayurv-edic Renaissance Keralam Pvt Ltd (CARe-Keralam), a cluster of more than 60 Ayurveda drug manufacturing firms, says the ban threat has been in the air for quite some time. Though exports to the EU may account for hardly 5 per cent of the total revenue, there is an added threat of other countries following the EU.
“Already CARe has begun research and documentation of drug formulations at its centre in Koratty. It is in collaboration with Ayush, the central department for traditional medical systems, to support research and provide necessary documents. The industry has also been demanding an ayurveda export council under the Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT),” he said.
According to the EU notification, all herbal medicinal products must have prior authorisation before they can be marketed in the EU. This will mean that many medicines which go abroad as extracts and food supplements like chavanprash, ashwagandha, etc will go out of sale across Europe from May 1.
Dr D. Ramanathan, managing director of Sitaram Ayurveda Pharmacy Ltd and general secretary of the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI), says these medicines have been in use since ages.(by Ayurvedanews.com)

Shirodhara is a form of Ayurveda medicine that involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead (the 'third eye'). It was developed by vaidyas (practitionars of Ayurveda) in Kerala, India for use in sukhachikitsa (restorative therapy) and can be one of the steps involved in Panchakarma. The name comes from the Sanskrit words shiras 'head' and dhara 'flow'. The liquids used in shirodhara depend on what is being treated, but can include oil, milk, buttermilk, coconut water, or even plain water.

Shirodhara has been used to treat a variety of conditions including eye diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, greying of hair, neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia, hearing impairment, tinnitus, vertigo, Ménière's disease and certain types of skin diseases like psoriasis. It is also used non-medicinally at spas for its relaxing properties. There are specialized forms of shirodhara called thyladhara, ksheeradhara, thakradhara and jaladhara.

It’s winter and as the temperatures are going lower your activity levels also go down in proportion. You want to stay cuddled up in the warmth of your homes or under the blanket longer than usual. With the cold increasing, the metabolism of the body systems also increases so as to maintain the heat within to keep you warmer. So this is the season where a little extra food with some fat and proteins won’t do any harm on your calorie gain.
The cold will make you crave for hot and spicy food and this season welcomes with it the use of these with a little more generosity. The consumption of fatty food is also quite good for the season as it takes lesser time to burn them down than in the warmer seasons. By consuming food that will keep the body heat consistent, it will help in maintaining the immunity during the season which will help fight the common seasonal diseases and also increase the energy levels in the body making you feel less lethargic.
Food including your regular spices and herbs such as pepper, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, thyme etc will do you good. Tea, which is one of the favourite beverages during the season, can also be spiced up with the mixed spice powder that can be made at home.
A coin has two sides to it and so does the dullness of winter. You can enjoy more food and variety in the name of staying warm and energetic, but that doesn’t mean excessive eating is the key. Maintain the three meal a day routine keeping the heavier food to the afternoon so as to maintain the balance.
Eat healthy and stay happy this winter! (by Ayurvedanews.com)

A frozen shoulder is one of the common ailments seen in people over the age of 40 and especially in women of that age. Ayurveda gives the name of Ababahuka for this problem and it blames the Vata dosha for its occurrence. The increase in Vata dosha results in the absorption of the fluid (Kapha) which gives the pain.
The symptoms include a stiff shoulder which chronic pain that increases with time and worsens during the night. The person with will find difficulty in doing everyday tasks. The causes for the condition may be synovitis , rupture of capsule or a lesion in muscle complex round the joint, a history or traums, heart or lung problems, heart surgery and diabetes.
Ayurveda suggests Panchakarma treatment and Kerala therapy which aims to bring equilibrium in the Vata- Kapha levels in the body. The popular treatment includes a medicated oil body massage. A special herbal pack also helps relieve the pain and give strength to the shoulder muscles to increase mobility. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

Staying up late nights, over working, office and personal stress leaving dark circles under those pretty eyes of yours? Do not fret. What comes should eventually go. So will those dark circles.
Here are a few natural, chemical free, home remedies to hasten the process of ridding yourself of the dark circles.

Almond oil is a long known solution to various skin and hair problems. This will come in handy even for removing the dark circles. Take a few drops of pure almond oil on your fingertips, apply it around the eyes and massage gently for around 15 minutes regularly. This will eventually fade away the shadows lurking below the eyes.

Potatoes and cucumber doesn’t just help in cooling your eyes when you put the slices on your eyelids. The juice of both the vegetables taken in equal proportions and applied over the dark circles will help remove them gradually.

Mint is one of the most popular herbs that don’t just add flavour to your cooking. A few drops of mint juice applied around your eyes will make your eyes regain its lost brightness and remove the dark circles.

Tomato and lemon juice in equal proportions applied around the eyes will also help serve the purpose. You can also add turmeric and lentils to make a paste and apply this paste and wash off when it dries.

Lastly, we all know the uses of rose water for a lot of skin problems. This will come to your rescue even in ridding yourself of dark circles. Dip a cotton ball in rose water and apply it around the eyes to see effective results in days.

Now that you have so many easy options to get rid of those stubborn eye ghosts, all you have to do is relax, sleep well, drink lots of water, live a life which, if not stress free, is at least minimal of stressors and choose any of the aforesaid remedies. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

Ayurveda undoubtedly has acquired great importance in today’s world. Although this stream of medicine is getting popular there are many who want to refer good books on this form of medicine.
Listed are a few books written by well known authors. Please note these are the recommended books in English. There are many other books that are popular written in Sanskrit or Hindi (Indian languages). Meanwhile you can definitely have a look at these titles the next time you are a book store as AyurShop is recommending these books.1)”Ayurveda – A Life of Balance: The Complete Guide to Ayurvedic Nutrition & Body Types with Recipes” – By Maya Tiwari
Publisher – Healing Arts Press, Pages – 368
The book has inclusions of a thorough profile of the seven body types and the foods best suited to each. The author is credited to be the first to include a complete discussion of the personality or psycho spiritual attributes of the Ayurvedic body types, as well as food charts, seasonal menus, and recommended daily routines for each type.

2)Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing by Usha Lad and Dr. Vasant Lad, Publisher – Motilal Banarasidas
More than 100 delicious ayurvedic recipes are included in this book. Pages- 254
This is a cookbook and much more. In fact Ayurveda teaches that food plays a primary role in maintaining health. Dr. Vasant Lad and Usha Lad present authentic and tasty Ayurvedic recipes designed to promote vitality and well-being. Each recipe carefully balances the three individual constitutions – vata, pitta, and kapha. Everything from the common cold and skin problems to stabilizing blood sugar in diabetes, all using familiar household herbs, fruits and vegetables, the book gives a comprehensive solution in the form of cookbook

3)Principles of Ayurveda by Anne Green, Publisher- Thorsons Publication. Pages- 173
It is said that for a western reader Ayurveda as a science is overwhelming and confusing unless explained in the simplest terms. Anne Green very clearly and systematically introduces Ayurveda; India’s ancient healing system and sister science of yoga and tantra, in a western voice.

4)Yoga and Ayurveda ; Self–Healing and Self- Realization by David Frawley, Publisher – Lotus Press USA, Motilal Banarasidas, India. Pages- 350 pages
David Frawley is an American Hindu author who has published books on topics such as Hinduism Yoga and Ayurveda. This book introduces the different types of energy (such as the five pranas), subtle bodies (koshas), energy centres and pathways (chakras and nadis), energetic nectars (ojas and soma) and discusses the Ayurvedic view on diets, healing, herbs, yoga postures and meditation.

5)Ayurvedic Healing for Women; A Guide to Vitality and Health– By Dr. Robert E Svoboda. Publisher – Healing Arts Press. Pages – 192
Ayurveda for Women explores in detail the landmark changes associated with the three stages of life–childhood, adulthood, and old age–and provides practical advice on exercise, sleep, diet, beauty care, meditation and massage, sex and relationships, childcare, menopause, and other issues central to women’s lives today. Simple to enact and profound in effect, Ayurveda could be the answer many women are seeking. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

Although, gargling with salt water or adding a pinch of salt and turmeric to a glass of warm water and gargling with the mixture, are all good remedies for sore throat, they can be used more as a preventive option than a curative one. Discussed here, are few more traditional effective home remedies that can comfort and cure a sore throat.

Ginger: Add a teaspoon of ginger powder to a glass of boiled water. When it has cooled down, add one to two drops of honey and the juice of half-a-lemon. The resulting mixture could be used for gargling all through the day.

Clove: Chewing a clove with rock salt or crystals of common salt is useful to soothe an irritating throat.

Fenugreek: Mix four teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in a glass of warm water. Boil the mixture, and allow it to simmer. The resulting solution can help relieve sore throat. On cooling and straining, the resultant mixture can be used for gargling.

Cumin: Boil a glass of water by adding a teaspoon of cumin seeds and a piece of ginger. Simmer, allow the mixture to cool and gargle with water.

Basil: Boil basil leaves with water and drink twice a day. This can also be used for gargling as and when required.

Henna leaves: A decoction of the leaves can be used as gargle, in cases of throat pain for effective relief.

Cinnamon-cardamom mix: Take a teaspoon each of powdered cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, ginger and powdered sugar, and make a decoction. A teaspoon of this, when taken twice a day with honey or warm water, will heal a sore throat and ease any congestion in the throat. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

The Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (IAIM), in collaboration with Los Angeles-based Doheny Retina Institute, is contemplating research to find an ayurvedic cure for eye diseases like retina pigmentosa (RP), which has no cure in modern medicines.
Professor Bhushan Patwardhan, director of IAIM, told Express, “We are in principal collaboration with Doheny Retina Institute to carry out integrative research on retina pigmentosa. Our endeavour is to conduct research on such eye disorders which have no cure in modern medical science, but which can be treated with ayurvedic medicines.”
He said that retina pigmentosa does not have cure in modern medical science but they can treat the disease in ayurveda. “There are several other diseases which have limited cure in modern science. Hence, the institute is emphasizing to carry out research on such diseases. We have to document it to prove that it has the cure in ayurveda,” Patwardhan said.
According to studies, the prevalence of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in South India are known to be alarmingly higher in comparison to other parts of the world. “Modern diagnostic parts and knowledge will be utilised in integrative partnership,” he added. (Indian Express). (by Ayurvedanews.com)

lunedì 11 luglio 2011

Ever wondered why different people have different favourite colours? While you like bright, attractive colours, your best friend might just stick to sober, lighter colours. It is not just about the physical appearance of the colours but it is the type of vibrations one gets from a particular colour. According to Ayurveda, people seem to prefer one colour over another based on whether they have Vata, Pitta or Kapha body type.
Painting your house can be a task due to the availability of the choice of colours. To add to these choices and to suit your personality, AFM Safecoat paints has a system for Healing Paint Colors for Your Ayurveda Type that shows you how to find emotional balance through the use of color. The company does business on a “health first premise”–their paints meet the highest standards of environmental responsibility, and also contain no toxic ingredients such as solvents, heavy metals, chemical residuals, formaldehyde and other harmful preservatives.
The Ayurveda Essence color system takes the health premise a step further by offering interactive tools to help you manipulate subtle aspects of your environment to promote optimum wellness. There are 108 colors in three groups of 36. To keep it simple, they created three micro palettes that correspond to the three major constitutional types of Ayurvedic medicine: vata, pitta, and kapha. Once you know which type you are, you can select colors accordingly: whether the colors are hot or cold, warm or cool, calming or stimulating, uplifting or grounding, moist or dry, etc. Ayurvedic healing has generated many practices that promote harmony, created to relieve stress by helping us understand how to create balance in the day-to-day. (by Ayurvedanews.com)

The Ministry of Tourism has held a national workshop in Delhi on the promotion of wellness tourism and national accreditation standards for wellness centres. This was organized with the active participation of the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health, and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).

150 participants representing the wellness industry were at the workshop to deliberate on the issues concerning ayurveda wellness centres, spas, skincare centres, cosmetic care centres, gymnasiums, fitness centres, preventive health care centres, and yoga centres. The objective of the workshop was to evolve a road map for formulating strategies for the development and promotion of wellness tourism to position India as the leading destination for wellness tourism, incorporating the country’s natural attributes including yoga, ayurveda, siddha, and spas; to increase the number of health tourists, lengthen the average stay and increase total expenditure by wellness visitors; and to increase professionalism and excellence amongst those delivering wellness experiences.

Four groups deliberated on the four key topics; accreditation and the way ahead, capacity building and training of wellness professionals; promotion of the different components of wellness; and promotion of wellness tourism in India and abroad. Each group was targeted to come up with five to six recommendations for sharing with all participants for further deliberations. The resulting five recommendations for each group were presented to the Ministry of Tourism to help it develop the industry.

The workshop saw the launch of the new accreditation standards for wellness centers prepared by NABH and approved by the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). The new accreditation standards for wellness centres provide a framework for quality of care for customers and quality improvement for wellness centres. The standards will help to build a quality culture at all levels and across all the functions of wellness centres. The NABH standards have ten sections incorporating 84 standards and 396 objective elements. There is now a complete set of standards for evaluation of wellness centers to enable them to be granted NABH accreditation. The standards focus on all aspects of service delivery including customer rights and education, infection control practices, trained and experienced staff, infrastructure, environment safety, processes and controls and statutory and regulatory compliances. The accreditation process involves a review of the documentation and two onsite visits by NABH assessors. Renewal of accreditation has to be done every 3 years. (by Ayurvedanews.com)